Fort Wilderness Fun

Fort Wilderness Resort is the older brother to the Wilderness Lodge. It was there when Disney World opened; it was a product of Walt Disney's own imagination.

Fort Wilderness is huge and sprawling, and offers its own mini-culture as a result. Guests can rent golf carts to get around the property, and there is a huge system of bus transportation within Fort Wilderness itself to shuttle guests between the front (check-in) and back (dining, boat dock, general store, etc.) of the resort.

And because of Fort Wilderness' size and tenure at Disney World, they've incorporated dozens of fun and interesting activties into their daily agenda:

Carriage Rides: Private carriage rides cost $45.00 and take guests throughout Fort Wilderness and the adjacent trails. Call 407-wdw-play to book. Starts at 5:30 PM and are every 1/2 hour

Wagon Rides (Like a hayride): 45 minute rides depart from the back of Fort Wilderness from 7pm and 9:30pm. Adults are $8, kids are $5. Children under 3 are free.

Campfire Sing-a-Long and Movie with Chip and Dale: This is one of the only places in Disney World where you'll get interaction with characters without buying a meal or a park ticket. That's right--this is absolutely free! Take the yellow internal bus line to the "Settlement," and ask the driver to drop you off at the campfire (it is near the Meadows Trading Post area). The sing-a-long usually begins around 7, with marshmallow roasting (bring your own or buy a smores kit at the campfire snack bar for $5) and a movie following.

Archery: Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 2:45pm guides lead wannabe archers through the basics of archery, followed by some target practice. Call 407-wdw-play for reservations.

Segway Tour: The Wilderness Back Trail Adventure gives guests the chance to try their hand at a Segway and explore Fort Wilderness at the same time. Call 407-wdw-tour for more information.

Mickey's Backyard BBQ: Mickey, Minnie, and their friends picnic, dance, and have a general good time with you at the BBQ Pavilion! This is at the back of Fort Wilderness, next to the Boat Dock. It occurse on Thursdays and Saturdays from March through December, and can be booked through Disney Dining at 407-wdw-dine up to 90 days in advance. There is a fee for cancellations.

Hoop Dee Doo Revue: This is usually folks' first experience with Fort Wilderness, and it's a great one! It's a dinner show, serving all you can eat barbeque with the fixin's. Showtimes are 5pm, 7:15pm, and 9:30pm. Book up to 90 days ahead (we suggest you book early!) by calling 407-wdw-dine.

Horseback Riding: For $46, you can take a guided ride on horse back from the Tri-Circle-D Ranch through the Sherwood Forest of Fort Wilderness. Riders must be 9 years old, at least 48 inches in height, and weigh less than 250 lbs. Book up to 90 days ahead by calling 407-wdw-play. This isn't for anyone who's a whiz on horseback--but perfect for us newbies! Ride Times: 8:30 am 10:00 am 11:30 am 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm

You can book any of these by calling 407-wdw-play. You do need to book in advance - if you wait to do it the day of you have to actually go to Ft. Wilderness to book.

Also not listed on this site but available for Ft. Wilderness is Golf Cart Rentals and boat rentals.

Rentals in the Bike Barn at Ft. Wilderness:

Bike Barn Phone: (407) 824-2742
Operating Hours 9 am to 5 pm

BIKE BARN RENTAL RATES
(10 am until 5:00 pm)

Electric Carts $59 - $62.84 w/ tax per day - can seat 4 people
Bicycles $18 per day $7.51 per hour
Canoe/Pedal Boat/Kayak $6.50 - per 1/2 hour $11 - per hour
Cane Poles $8.31 - per day $3.75 - per hour
Rod and Reel $8.93 - per day $5.16 - per hour
Boston Whaler & Pontoon $45 per 1/2 hour
Speed boats $32 per for 1/2 hour $40 - for 1 hour $45 - for 1 1/2 hours

The rentals at the Bike Barn are on a first come basis so you don't have to plan an exact time. 12 years old and older can drive the Speed Boats and they can sit two people. They are small little boats you sit in, so it has the power of a seadoo but you don't get wet unless it is extremely windy.